Summary
- On August 25, 1938, the Italian aviation allied with Franco’s forces bombed Torrevieja, Vega Baja, during the Spanish Civil War.
- The bombing killed 19 people, including children and soldiers, with 25-30 bombs dropped in the city.
- Dolores Aniorte Manresa,a survivor,vividly recalls the terror of that day even after 87 years.
- Despite the tragedy,Torrevieja lacks any monument or memorial dedicated to the victims.
- Historical accounts reveal repeated attacks by Italian planes along the Mediterranean coast, targeting civilian populations.
The Forgotten Bombing of Torrevieja: A Survivor’s Memory and Historical Reflection
On a quiet August morning in 1938, the coastal town of Torrevieja in Spain’s Vega Baja region was forever changed by a devastating aerial bombardment.The raid, carried out by Italian aircraft supporting Francisco Franco’s forces during the Spanish civil War, claimed the lives of 19 civilians and soldiers and left a shadow of fear that echoes even today – yet the event remains largely unrecognized in public memory or official records.
Remembering August 25, 1938: Dolores Aniorte’s story
dolores aniorte Manresa, born in Torrevieja in August 1930, was just eight years old when the bombs fell. Now 87 years later, she recounts with heartbreaking clarity the chaos and terror she experienced that day.
“It was around 10 in the morning. My mother was queuing at the fish market near the Casino when people suddenly started to run after hearing airplanes and explosions. I was at home with my two little sisters; I grabbed them and headed straight for the refuge on Chapaprieta Street,” dolores recalls.
“It was horrifying. Everyone was terrified and running.Older people pushed others aside to protect themselves. These memories are etched in my mind. I don’t understand why the city doesn’t have a monument to honor those who died – many young people don’t even know what happened.”
Details of the Attack and Its Impact
The bombing involved between 25 and 30 bombs being dropped, with estimates of 21 to 22 exploding in the city. The hardest-hit areas were near the port and surrounding streets like Conde Vía-Manuel, Zoa, and Caballero de Rodas.
At that time, residents had grown accustomed to seeing airplanes flying overhead toward military targets such as Cartagena and Alicante, which had been frequently bombarded. However, the direct attacks on Torrevieja’s civilian population came as a terrifying shock.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| date of Bombing | August 25, 1938 |
| Number of Bombs Dropped | 25-30 bombs (21-22 exploded) |
| Casualties | 19 dead including children and soldiers |
| Mainly Affected Areas | Port, Conde Vía-Manuel, Zoa, Caballero de Rodas |
| Attackers | Italian aviation allied with Franco’s forces |
| Context | Ongoing Spanish Civil War, repeated coastal bombings |
The Victims: Names and Ages Remembered
The victims included military personnel such as Captain Miguel García Cuello (32) and captain francisco Hernández Hernández (28), as well as civilians ranging from 2-month-old infants to adults in their 30s.The tragedy touched entire families and left a lasting scar on the community.
- Military: Captains Miguel García Cuello, Francisco Hernández Hernández; Soldier Francisco Desamparado Moreno.
- Civilians: Several families lost young children aged between 2 months and 15 years, alongside adults such as Rafael Clemares Sala (35) and Joaquina Antolinos Zapata (32).
Why Torrevieja Remains Without a Memorial
Despite the scale of the tragedy, Torrevieja has no official monument or public space honoring the victims. The city’s municipal archives do not even officially record the bombing of August 25,1938. This silence deepens the risk that future generations will forget the pain and lessons of that violent day.
Francisco sala Aniorte, the official chronicler of the city, explains that the Italian planes abruptly changed course that morning to bomb small coastal ports, including Torrevieja-a plan that extended “into the heart of the population.” International reports from the time recognized these bombings as deliberate attacks on civilian populations along the Mediterranean coast.
The Larger Historical Context
Torrevieja’s port was strategically vital during the war, mostly due to its role as a refuge for boats carrying military supplies along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Though the installations themselves were not notable military targets, the area’s intense maritime activity drew attacks from Italian forces.
Similar bombings occurred along a stretch of the coast from Águilas to the French border, creating widespread fear and casualties during the last years of the Spanish Civil War.
Preserving Memory: Why Stories Like Dolores’ Matter
The voices of survivors like Dolores are crucial in keeping this chapter of history alive. With 87 years gone and fewer survivors left,their stories serve as living memorials to the victims and warnings against forgetting the horrors of war.
“Until there is a space of memory or monument, my testimony is a small but essential reminder,” says Dolores.”We must never let the silence erase what happened.”
Conclusion
The bombing of Torrevieja on August 25, 1938, represents a tragic and ofen overlooked episode of the Spanish Civil War. Despite the loss of innocent lives and the trauma endured by survivors, the event has faded from public consciousness, with no dedicated memorial or recognition by local authorities. Through survivor accounts and historical research, the memory of this day can be preserved, reminding us all of the civilian cost of war and the importance of honoring those affected.
If you want to know more about the history of Torrevieja during the Spanish Civil War or to share yoru thoughts about creating a memorial,feel free to comment below or connect with local historical societies.